Also called: Pharm Tech, CPhT
Helps pharmacists prepare and dispense medications.
Counts pills, labels bottles, enters prescriptions into the computer, deals with insurance rejections, and rings up customers. Many pharmacists started here.
BLS May 2024.
Certificate, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus on-the-job training or a short certificate; PTCB certification common.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Pharmacy Technology (certificate).
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Central-fill robots, auto-counting and automated refills take over routine dispensing, shrinking openings; IV and inventory work remain.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply for pharmacy technician trainee jobs at CVS, Walgreens or grocery pharmacies First: State pharmacy technician trainee registration (a few weeks); some states allow 16–17
Classes: Chemistry, Algebra, Health-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2052.
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